Queen's Day

I'm really awful at blogging in a timely fashion. I'm going to try to catch up tonight, so when you see like five new posts, that's why.

My friend Allison came to visit me for Queen's Day, which is basically a giant celebration where people wear orange (Holland's country color) and get really drunk in the streets and ride on boats. It's actually to celebrate the Birthday of Holland's previous Queen, but that's how people "celebrate." Prior to all of the Queen's Day shenanigans, we explored Amsterdam and I showed her my favorite spots. I finally took my picture with the I Amsterdam sign, which I actually wrote a paper about regarding Amsterdam's city marketing. Yes, we actually have to study in Amsterdam sometimes. We went to a cute little town called Zaans Schaans, which has the most windmills I've ever seen. We also visited the most gorgeous library I've ever been to. 

On Queen's Day we walked around and attempted to drink gross, warm Heineken. We ditched the Heineken halfway through the day and made some Dutch man very happy. The day after Queen's Day we saw a Train concert. I haven't really listened to them much, but it's Allison's favorite band so we went! It was a good time and the venue was an old church!

The picture is blurry, but Allison's pants are bright orange. And they matched the floor...

So crowded.

Probably my favorite bar in Amsterdam.

Before Train.

I'm in love with Amsterdam.

I'm really not enjoying the new Blogger layout, like everyone else (what the hell Google). I've had strep throat for the past four days and have pretty much only left my bed for grapes. Seriously. I am way behind on blogging and hopefully something good can come from this terrible illness. But on happier note, I find a new reason to love this city every day. A few weeks ago I went to the flea market with my friend Ellea in Noord. I'm used to seeing all of the same things in Springfield, MO, which has spoiled me on the flea market front. We have over fifteen at least. We had to take a cute, lil' ferry to get there and it was a beautiful day! I managed to only buy some pretty mid-century shot glasses and a set of tin canisters. I am now an international canister collector. I fell in love with an antique, wooden Heineken case, which would have made a beautiful shelving unit, but I don't think American Airlines will accept that as my "personal item."

After the flea market, we went to a brewery inside of a windmill! I got the sampler to make my papa proud and stole a couple coasters. I also spotted a Boulevard Pale Ale in the bar's giant collection of bottles. I was impressed.

Here's an update of my life in photos and instagrams!

Dreary, beautiful day outside of school.

There was a ferris wheel in Dam Square. This was the view. 

So many vintage chairs!

I think the concept of a Botel is awesome. 

I like white beers, I'm coming to find. 

You are a Tourist.

I'm becoming much more familiar with Amsterdam and at times it even feels like home. I received this city guide moleskin for Christmas. I am starting to work on it now and can't wait to have my very own guide to this amazing city. I've had several visitors this past week and I got to explore the city as a tourist again. Namely, I went to the Heineken Experience, which I hadn't found a good excuse to spend so much money on before then. Here are some pictures from my adventures with my friend Alex.

This man in an apron taught Alex how to ride a bike. 

Chipsy King!

It had to happen eventually...

My favorite part of the Heineken tour. Minus the free beer of course. 

I bought some gawdy, Dutch slippers!

Church by my house lit up blue for Ascension week.

Right outside my apartment building. I'm in love.

And I'll leave you with this.

Amsterdam Shenanigans

I know I keep posting about my time in other cities, but I'm not recording my thoughts on Amsterdam. It seems if I'm always in a rush to leave here, haha but that's just because I'm closer to all of these exotic, European cities than I normally am. I love many things about this city. Everyone is very sweet and generous when giving directions. The canals are beautiful. I can ride my bike almost anywhere in twenty minutes. I can admire the gorgeous canals while riding my bike. I constantly meet people from all over the world. And did I mention how breathtaking the canals are? I've had to study for exams this week, which are pretty much the equivalent to finals in America. The other night I sat on our balcony and drank some wine while my Italian flatmates played the acoustic guitar. I'm living the dream.

I finally went to Burgermeester. Cows look at you with sad eyes while you eat your burger...

Crappy quality photo, but this is out of my window at night time. So beautiful.

Best ice cream in Amsterdam.

The Pancake Bakery

Today me and my friend Sandra had our first Dutch pancakes! We went to The Pancake Bakery, which I'd heard mixed reviews for. Some said it was just popular for tourists, while others said they were the most amazing pancakes they'd ever eaten. The place was cute and pub like. It had cute, old photos of Amsterdam hanging on the walls. Although I have no other Dutch pancakes to compare them to, they were pretty delicious, or lekker as the Dutch would say. We decided to share a bacon and cheese pancake and a nutella and banana pancake. The nutella one was of course my favorite. The pancakes were about the size of a medium pizza. I will be full for at least 24 hours now. Though I'm sure I'll manage to eat all of the waffles, frites, chocolate, and beer my heart desires this weekend in Brussels. 

This last photo was from the pub we went to after. We watched the Amsterdam Ajax game while enjoying some Heineken. I'm sorry for the awful Iphone quality, but I thought this collection of pictures was adorable. I especially love how none of them are level.

Cultural Similarities

As I assumed, there are many cultural differences between the Netherlands and the United States. Everything here is much cuter and has so much history. The differences can be challenging to overcome at times, like when I have to pay to use the restroom or when I'm completely overwhelmed by all of the Dutch words at the grocery store. However, I have noticed similarities and I always take a minute to appreciate those little moments. I've been developing a mental list of my favorites and figured I'd share them with you.

- laughter
- parents yelling at their children, no matter the language
- being annoyed by pedestrians not in crosswalks
- coffee
- couples holding hands and being cute
- a McDonalds quarter pounder with cheese
- a good sale (I scored some boots for 6 euro!)
- a smile
- this song will make any female aged 15 - 35 dance ridiculously

I appreciate the differences at times too. Like today I passed the cheese market, where I got some delicious, Tallegio cheese, and the most adorable, well-mannered puppy was sitting outside the cheese store patiently waiting for his owner. Not tied up to anything, he was just chilling watching his momma buy some cheese. It kind of made my day.

Noordermarkt

On Saturday I ventured to the market with a friend. There were all types of vendors: antiques, cheese, fish, produce, clothes, crafty things, etc. There was a dress line that was entirely crocheted, it made me miss my momma. I bought some grapes, which were delicious. I am trying to be thrifty, living in Europe is expensive, as you probably imagined. There was so much to look at there, but our favorite thing to see was all of the puppies! I miss my dogs (Mom, please tell them they were featured on my blog). Next time I go to the market, which will probably be Saturday (let's be real), I'll take more photos.

De Laatste Kruimel

While wandering around looking for lunch, I stumbled upon this little gem. It's absolutely perfect and may be the cutest place I've ever seen. It seemed as if I'd walked into a Dutch kitchen and I immediately felt at home, they even had vintage Dutch cookbooks on the shelves. I also tried a new cheese! I enjoyed my Taleggio sandwich by myself while listening to the Mad Men esque music played overhead. Little moments like these remind me why I love traveling so much.